‘You’re coming whether you like it or not,’ her mother said spitefully, which started Molly on another bout of crying.
Louisa came to her. ‘Shall we go into ’parlour and read a story before bedtime?’ she asked. ‘You can choose which one.’
Robin piped up. ‘Maybe we can find one with an adventure. Do you have any of those, Molly?’
Molly jumped off her grandfather’s knee. ‘Yes,’ she said, snuffling up her tears. ‘Alice in Wonderland. It’s on ’bookshelf. I know where,’ and she raced out of the kitchen and down the hall until they heard her opening the parlour door.
‘There’s no fire,’ Peggy began, but Aaron interrupted, ‘They’ll not notice ’cold, and if they do they’ll come back in here. Don’t fuss, Peg. I’ll give our Jack a hand for an hour and then I’m off down to ’village.’
‘Meeting your Harry?’ she asked.
‘Aye.’ He shrugged into his working coat. ‘If he’s about. Find out if owt’s happening down by ’river.’
Peggy sat by the table when he’d gone and decided that she’d have to have a serious talk with her daughter-in-law. They’d been at loggerheads ever since Susan and Jack married, never seeing eye to eye and particularly not on issues to do with the children. She would willingly have all the girls living with her, but she knew that wouldn’t happen. And neither should it, she berated herself; children should be with their parents, but she was concerned over Molly’s welfare. Molly was a special child.
‘Peggy!’ Susan came back into the kitchen from the scullery. ‘I think I’m starting.’
‘What?’ Peggy looked up.
‘In labour.’ Susan’s face was flushed. ‘Oh, how I hate it. Can you get Jack? Ask him to fetch Mrs Glover.’
Peggy got up from the table. ‘Already? I didn’t think it was due—’ She stopped when she saw Susan wince. ‘Let me help you upstairs first, and then I’ll give him a shout. There won’t be any hurry,’ she added evenly, ‘if you’ve onny just started.’
‘I don’t know about that,’ Susan gasped. ‘I’d rather you told him now.’ She leaned on the table. ‘I don’t feel very well.’
‘All right. Try to keep calm.’ Peggy recalled Susan’s other pregnancies, and telling Aaron that their daughter-in-law’s shouts would have been heard on the other side of the estuary. She slipped a shawl over her shoulders and went to the back door, and as luck would have it Jack came out of the cattle shed just as she raised her voice to call.
‘What’s up?’
‘It’s Susan. Can you nip up to Thorn and fetch Mrs Glover? You know where she lives, don’t you?’
‘I should do,’ he grunted. ‘I’ve been plenty o’ times.’
‘And whose fault is that?’ she said cuttingly. ‘Go on, and look sharp.’ As she went back into the house she wondered what had happened to the kind-hearted and merry boy he had once been, and how he had turned into the miserable, discontented man that he was now.
She helped Susan upstairs and stripped the bed before going to the landing cupboard for a pair of old cotton sheets and a rubber one and making it up again. Then she went downstairs, filled the kettle and a pan with water, and put them over the fire to heat.
All the children were laughing when she listened at the parlour door. She made out Robin’s voice, and then Louisa’s, and smiled. They were entertaining the others and she heard Molly shouting and chortling. They’ll be all right for a while, she thought. Another hour before bedtime, and then Robin had better sleep in the kitchen again. Tomorrow he could help her to clear the attic room and after that he could have it as his own.
She knew she would have to argue her case for allowing him to stay, but what else can I do, she asked herself. He’s turned up here; I can hardly turn him away, but I’ll make more of an effort to find his mother. Why did she leave him? No mother would willingly leave her child behind with strangers. Did she see him with us? Did she know us and tell him to sit with us? Was she so desperate that she would do such a thing?
A shout from Susan startled her. ‘Peggy! Can you come up?’
It’s the only time she ever wants me, she thought as she hurried up the stairs. Susan was kneeling by the bed. ‘I can’t get up,’ she said, her voice strained. ‘I want to walk about; oh, God, I hope this’ll be ’last one I ever have.’
‘It probably won’t be.’ Peggy bent down and hooked her arms under Susan’s to bring her to her feet. ‘You’re onny a young woman; just thank your lucky stars you’re healthy.’
‘I onny hope it’s a lad,’ Susan muttered, ‘and mebbe Jack’ll think that’s enough. Five bairns are plenty for anybody. Oh!’ She groaned, and bent over the bed. ‘Did he get off to Mrs Glover’s?’
‘Yes. Come on, let’s walk you about. I don’t suppose they’ll be long. Just tek nice long deep breaths. It won’t be here yet.’
‘What would you know about it,’ Susan burst out. ‘You onny had two! This is my fifth and I’m telling you it’s on its way.’
There was a quiet knock on the door. Louisa with huge saucer eyes said, ‘Can I do anything, Gran? Is Ma’s baby coming?’
‘No you can’t! Get out,’ Susan shouted.
Peggy put her finger to her lips and said quietly, ‘Watch out for your da and ask Mrs Glover to come up straight away, will you? Then will you look after ’other bairns just as you have been doing?’
Louisa nodded, turned about and went down again, quietly closing the staircase door behind her.
Peggy put her arm around Susan. ‘Shall we walk, or do you want to lie down?’
‘No, I’ll walk.’ Susan leaned heavily on Peggy, and then muttered, ‘I’m sorry, Peg. I know I’m bad-tempered sometimes, but I want our own place as much as you want us to get out from under your feet. But,’ she went on even
